Activity Overview
Organized by: Edgars Plociņš
Format: Simulation, meeting, presentation
Venue & Date: Outdoor Hike / Carnikava, Latvia – 5 April 2026
Participants & Profile: 13 participants – Aged between 20 – 34 from various fields including IT, design, cooking & pedagogy.
Short description of the activity
The activity I organized was a reflective hike in the forests and along the seaside near Carnikava. The main objective of the hike was to encourage self-reflection, inspired by exercises from the training course “Stoic Principles in Modern Entrepreneurship.” The idea was to create a space where participants could detach from their daily routines, reduce stress, and thoughtfully consider their current emotional state and life direction.
The hike itself combined physical activity with structured reflection. Participants walked together through natural surroundings, which helped create a calm and open atmosphere. During one of the stops, we rested, cooked food together, and held a group reflection activity. For this, I adapted elements of the storytelling game Dixit. Since Dixit cards were not available, I used cards from Codenames: Pictures, which feature abstract and imaginative illustrations suitable for interpretation.
Each participant selected a card that represented their feelings—either in the present moment or over a recent period (such as the past week or month). They were invited, but not required, to share their interpretation and explain the connection between the image and their personal experiences. This method encouraged introspection, creativity, and emotional expression.
The main elements of the activity included nature immersion, group bonding, creative storytelling, and guided self-reflection. The methods used combined experiential learning, informal discussion, and visual association techniques.
The results of the activity were very positive. Participants demonstrated strong storytelling abilities and openness, often sharing personal experiences that others in the group had not been aware of. This fostered a deeper sense of connection and understanding among the group members. By the end of the exercise, all participants reported that they had enjoyed the activity, felt emotionally relieved, and were more optimistic and motivated about the future.
After the reflection session, we continued the hike toward the sea, allowing participants to process their thoughts individually while still sharing a collective experience. Overall, the activity successfully achieved its goal of promoting self-awareness, emotional clarity, and group cohesion.
Conclusions, Recommendations, Insights
In conclusion, the activity proved to be meaningful and impactful for all participants. Combining physical movement in nature with structured reflection created a balanced environment where individuals felt both relaxed and open to sharing. The use of visual storytelling cards inspired by Dixit (adapted with Codenames: Pictures) was particularly effective in encouraging participants to express emotions and experiences that might otherwise be difficult to articulate. This method demonstrated that creative tools can significantly enhance self-reflection and group communication.
One of the key insights from this activity is the importance of environment and atmosphere. Being in nature, away from daily distractions, allowed participants to slow down and engage more deeply with their thoughts. Additionally, the informal and voluntary nature of sharing helped build trust within the group, leading to more authentic and meaningful conversations. It became clear that participants not only reflected on their own feelings but also gained new perspectives by listening to others.
From a practical standpoint, there are several recommendations for improving future activities. One important improvement would be to bring a larger cloth or sheet to place on the ground. During the activity, the cards were laid directly on the forest floor, which made them difficult to distinguish, as their colors and patterns blended with the natural surroundings. This created some initial confusion and made it harder for participants to clearly see and interpret the images. A simple cloth background would significantly improve visibility and enhance the overall experience.
Additional materials that could be useful include a thermos with warm drinks to increase comfort during breaks, as well as a notebook or journal for participants who may prefer to write down their reflections privately. It may also be beneficial to allocate a short closing discussion at the end of the hike to summarize key takeaways and reinforce the reflective process.
Overall, the activity highlighted the value of combining nature, creativity, and guided reflection. It showed that even simple methods, when thoughtfully applied, can lead to meaningful personal insights, stronger group connections, and a sense of emotional renewal.
